Whatever Works

I'm the only one who sees the whole picture. It took a while to get used to Larry David as the narrator, but the desired bliss eventually arrived to a sufficient extent. The script cautiously treads along the tragicomic path while scattering countless sexual innuendos and classic socially-aimed jabs in all directions. It's obvious that after previous years, when Woody indulged in complex romance in Barcelona or dreamt of an almost thriller-like Cassandra's Dream, new ideas and "complaints" needed to be brought forth. Thank goodness for that. (14/01/2011)

Whatever Works is essentially a malicious film. Woody Allen, as an atheist and typical urban liberal in the American environment, and significantly on the left, has always been at odds with social conservatives, religious fundamentalists, and generally those who lean toward the opposite side of the political spectrum in America. In a number of films, this view of his can be clearly traced, and here and there he cannot resist making sarcastic remarks. However, this is the first film where he subordinates everything to his perspective and the religious zealots get a nice beating from him. Woody settles his account with them from the time of his divorce from Mia Farrow and the painful battles over their children. At that time, the conservative press discussed his life in a very distasteful manner, and the tabloids delightedly savored the details of his extramarital affair. In this film, which essentially has a very simple plot, Allen depicts how the façade of hypocrisy typical of a conservative Southern family quickly dissolves in the open-minded environment of New York. The mother discovers her hidden bohemian character with artistic inclinations and sexual hyperactivity, the respectable father admits his homosexuality to himself and his surroundings, and the daughter embarks on a journey with Allen's alter ego in the form of the pathetic spoilsport portrayed by Larry David. Woody Allen also takes shots at himself here because his embodiment is a symbol of skepticism in life and contempt for society. Within the framework of what the hyperactive Woody has created in the last decade, this is one of the best films that exudes the energy typical of Allen's youth. Overall impression: 85%. (30/08/2014)

One big gap in my film "education" is my ignorance of Woody Allen. Whatever Works is only the second film of his that I've seen, but all things considered, maybe it's better that way. I don't need to compare it to Allen's earlier works, discuss how much it rips itself off and how many times we've seen this before, but I can give it five stars for the funniest and most intelligent comedy-romance spectacle (at least) since Love Actually. Truly great with an irresistible main character. More Boris Yellnikoffs like that! (17/08/2011)

J'ai eu le privilège d'être l'un des premiers Européens à voir le nouveau film du génial Woody Allen et, en prime, j'ai eu l'occasion de réaliser mon rêve et de le voir de mes propres yeux ! Comme les Français comprennent Woody et son humour et que la fréquentation de ses films est élevée, Woody les a récompensés en présentant Whatever Works lors de l'avant-première à l'UGC des Halles. Il s’en est suivi un standing ovation et une tempête d’applaudissements qui l’ont manifestement ému. Il nous a même promis que si on n’aimait pas son nouveau film, le prochain serait tourné à Paris ! Whatever Works est une comédie tout à fait typique où l’on retrouve l’ensemble des thèmes et insinuations qui lui sont chers. Et il est dommage que son rôle, pourtant taillé sur mesure, il l'ait laissé à Larry David. Evan Rachel Wood, qui accompagnait le maître à Paris, a confirmé son talent en jouant brillamment son premier rôle purement comique. Je suis encore sous le coup de l'euphorie, car peu de fans de Woody peuvent se targuer, comme moi, d’avoir pu se tenir à moins d'un demi-mètre de lui ! (19/06/2009)

I don't know Larry David much, but it's clear he has a sense of humor, and you can see that he and Allen really hit it off. His character is not exceptional, but some of his speeches just sit in the right places and make you laugh or even think. Unfortunately, the plot is a bit weaker, so Allen and his actors save what they can with dialogue or even monologues. (23/06/2017)